Masonic Titles Defined

Although spiritual in nature, Freemasonry is not a religion, but rather an organization of men with a strong desire to better themselves and others by supporting and promoting the tenets of Freemasonry which are friendship, morality, and brotherly love. Within each Lodge can be found the Worshipful Master, Senior and Junior Wardens, Senior and Junior Deacons, along with the Secretary, Treasurer, Chaplain, Marshal, and Tyler.   

According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary: 

• • Worshipful refers to the archaic use meaning entitled to honor or respect.

  • Warden is one who is responsible for the supervision of a particular place or thing and for ensuring that regulations associated with it are obeyed.

  • Deacon, harkening back to its Greek origins of servant, is one who is charged with assisting the Wardens. 

Additional titles that may be representative of a brother’s rank or stature within the Fraternity include: 

• • Worshipful – Any Past Master of a particular Lodge

  • Right Honorable – Any past District Instructor

  • Right Honorable District Instructor – Current District Instructor who is responsible for the Masonic education of an entire District of Lodges

  • Right Worshipful – Any past District Deputy Grand Master

  • Right Worshipful District Deputy Grand Master – Reports directly to the Grand Master and is responsible for the oversight of an entire District 

  • Most Worshipful – Any past Most Worshipful Grand Master of a Masonic jurisdiction

  • Most Worshipful Grand Master – The current sitting Grand Master of a specific Masonic jurisdiction*

*While each State, including Washington D.C., is its own jurisdiction, recognized by other jurisdictions, there is no one body which governs the entire country.